Since January 2021 the footbridge (FB) across the Rookhope Burn, approaching the finish of section 3, has been closed and fenced off because it is unsafe. The vehicle bridge is privately owned and is also barriered. Until the FB can be repaired, Durham County Council has instituted a diversion from the gate on the railway […]
Weardale Way Update (S3&4) Read More »
Whorlton Bridge has been closed to all users since December 2020. Access is completely fenced off and there is no other way to cross the river between Abbey Bridge (S6) and Winston Bridge (S7). This makes it impossible to continue on the Teesdale Way (TW) if you’re following our published route on the S side
Teesdale Way Update (S6&7) Read More »
The Rookhope Inn at the finish/start of Sections 3 & 4 of the Weardale Way in Rookhope village, Rookhope, Weardale has been closed for several months. This important hospitality outlet also features on the Pennine Journey and C2C cycle trails. Thankfully it seems that the owner has plans to reopen in August so when it
Weardale Way Update (S3&4) Read More »
The Smiths Arms public house on Section 12 of the Weardale Way at Castle Dene near Chester le Street is currently closed. It is for sale with the owner seeking permission to convert it into a residence so may be lost permanently as a hospitality outlet on the Weardale Way. If you can add any
Weardale Way Update (S12) Read More »
There have been major roadworks around Deptford in Sunderland for several months now, which interfere with the Weardale Way after Queen Alexandra Bridge. However, the contractors have constructed a pedestrian right of way through the works (dotted arrow) that is generally consistent with the published route (including access to The Ropery) which we’d recommend you
Weardale Way Update (S14) Read More »
The Public Footpath off (Lower) High St leading down to the railway embankment at the beginning of Section 8 of the Weardale Way at Witton le Wear has been closed for some time while a new house is being built. It is not known when these works will finish. Until they do, continue downhill on
Weardale Way Update (S8) Read More »
Sunday 18th October 2020 Not a lot of people know this but you can download excellent on-line field guides, or self-guided geology tours, from the British Geological Survey’s Earthwise site, in this case one around the Durham Peninsula as published by the Yorkshire Geological Society of which I’m a member. On Sunday I finally decided
Coal, Caves & Quarries in Durham City Read More »
Wednesday, 7th October 2020 If I’d read it anywhere other than in Russell Bulman’s Introduction to the Geology of Alston Moor I’d have assumed that Cash Force was a dodgy pay-day loans company and not the remote but spectacular waterfall it actually is. Russell goes on to say that, while flowing off the northern slopes
Is Cash Force Northern England’s most underrated waterfall? Read More »
Monday, 21st September 2020 This afternoon, as part of my long-term, casual project to record the fortifications of Northern England and the Scottish border, I paid a quick visit to Staward Peel which, between 1272 and 1384, during the Scottish Wars of Independence and much of the Hundred Years War, was a virtually impregnable tower
A Visit to Staward Peel Read More »
Saturday 5th September 2020 Historically, the counties and shires along the border between England and Scotland have seen their fair share of conflict. Never more so than during the medieval period when for several centuries, national armies and predatory familial bands known as Reivers would decimate those individuals or communities unfortunate enough to fall within
Bastle Hunting at Allenheads Read More »
